The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith (aka J.K.Rowling)

[Betsy]

Did you have any idea at the beginning when they were talking about what was seen on the TV camera footage, how critical that footage would become in the end and what it actually proved ???

Even after Strike told Robin, "The best piece of evidence was the footage of two men running away from the scene", I found all that VERY confusing, especially when told that they were two black men., Was it just me OR did you get it?

[Nick]

Betsy wrote: "Did you have any idea at the beginning when they were talking about what was seen on the TV camera footage, how critical that footage would become in the end and what it actually proved ???

Even ..."

I was sure it was an important clue, (view spoiler)[in the end the two men were both of Cuckoo's brothers. One was her African brother, but the guy in the hoodie was not black; it was Bristow. He wore a one of a kind jacket that had been given to the singer whose apartment he had been hiding in (hide spoiler)]

[Betsy]

Right again, Nick, and how clever that it was Cuckoo's (view spoiler)[ two "brothers" (hide spoiler)]

I rely a lot on foreshadowing. Did you feel that there was much foreshadowing in pointing to the killer? What were the clues that you picked up on ??

This will probably do it for me as I have other projects to get to so .... thanks all for helping me w/ unanswered questions.... can't say that this was a big favorite book of mine but always enjoy a discussion.... over and out!

[Karen B.]

Nick wrote: "Betsy wrote: "Thanks, Nick, for making that clear to me as you're right. Rochelle did hear [spoilers removed]"

Right, but apparently I was wrong in thinking that [spoilers removed]So now I have to..."

Betsy, why do you have to buy the paperback to read those chapters?

[Betsy]

Karen, I think that you are referring to Nick's comment /message #105 , as I use my Kindle totally.
Also, go back to Nick's #104 for "outrageous and obscene"; I think that you confused that with a comment made "by Jim" in another group. :) Anyway....

[Karen B.]

okay it was Nick who said he had to go back and buy the paperback to re-read those chapters. sorry. Message 105.

[Nick]

Betsy wrote: "Karen, I think that you are referring to Nick's comment /message #105 , as I use my Kindle totally.
Also, go back to Nick's #104 for "outrageous and obscene"; I think that you confused that with ..."

Wow... I want to clarify the words "outrageous and obscene" because they don't refer to the book The Silkworm itself but to a book within the book. Anyway, in imagining and offering chapters from THAT book Rowling/Galbraith had to create a work that so offended someone that he or she would (view spoiler)[want to kill the author (hide spoiler)]. So of course it had to be outrageous. I'm enjoying The Silkworm more and more. Robin is playing a big part again, and I like that, and the mystery is as wonderfully tangled as in Cuckoo's Calling.

In answer to Betsy's question about whether or not I felt there were enough clues. There IS an issue for me as to whether or not there were enough clues to allow me to deduce the killer before that person was revealed. To me the big telltale clue was (view spoiler)[the one of a kind jacket that showed up on the video. If you thought enough about that clue you might have deduced the killer. (hide spoiler)] But I did feel that the events were entirely plausible, and the case was solid. There wasn't any piece of evidence unveiled at the last minute without which nothing would have made sense. That being said, I was astounded when I finally learned who the murderer was. And, unfortunately, I'm starting to carry that thinking over into the next book.

[Karen B.]

Thanks for the clarification, Nick. I think I am going to go ahead and read the next book, maybe for the month of March.

[Catherine]

I haven't been involved in these discussions because I didn't have time to re-read the book this month but I have read all three of the series and I enjoyed each one more than the last. So to anyone who is considering continuing the series because you liked this month's read, I don't think you will be disappointed. The characters get more interesting as you get to know them and their backgrounds.

[Kirstin]

I'm only on page 153 so I don't want to read through this thread for fear of spoilers.

Good mystery so far. I like the two main characters. Strike is a classic P.I.(there seems to be a 'standard' when it comes to writing a private investigator). Robin is great and I hope she (view spoiler)[ditches that Matthew and falls in love with Strike. Lol. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley Marie]

Nick wrote: "Betsy wrote: "Karen, I think that you are referring to Nick's comment /message #105 , as I use my Kindle totally.
Also, go back to Nick's #104 for "outrageous and obscene"; I think that you confu..."

I have to pop in and agree here, the book-within-the-book is ridiculous. Obscene and outrageous are perfect words for it. Owen was something else.

[Kerry]

Catherine wrote: "I haven't been involved in these discussions because I didn't have time to re-read the book this month but I have read all three of the series and I enjoyed each one more than the last. So to anyon..."

That's good to hear. I am enjoying this book much more than I thought I would. I tried to read The Casual Vacancy and just could never get into it.

[Summer]

Overall, I enjoyed this read. Some of the clues were rather minor things that my memory hadn't held on to throughout the book, so the final things-come-together-magically wasn't quite as magical because I kept having to look things up. I don't think I'll continue on with the series, since there seems to be less Robin and I'm not a fan of the book within a book structure. I'm glad to have read something by Rowling other than Harry Potter, though.

[Ashley Marie]

Esse wrote: "Overall, I enjoyed this read. Some of the clues were rather minor things that my memory hadn't held on to throughout the book, so the final things-come-together-magically wasn't quite as magical be..."

I will say that Robin plays a huge part in book 3, but this series isn't for everyone.

[Nick]

Esse wrote: "Overall, I enjoyed this read. Some of the clues were rather minor things that my memory hadn't held on to throughout the book, so the final things-come-together-magically wasn't quite as magical be..."

The book-within-the book in The Silkworm doesn't last too long I don't think (I'm only half way through.) Robin is back in big time, now.

[Nick]

Kirstin wrote: "I'm only on page 153 so I don't want to read through this thread for fear of spoilers.

Good mystery so far. I like the two main characters. Strike is a classic P.I.(there seems to be a 'standard'..."

Kirstin wrote: "I'm only on page 153 so I don't want to read through this thread for fear of spoilers.

Good mystery so far. I like the two main characters. Strike is a classic P.I.(there seems to be a 'standard'..."

As for your spoiler, Kirstin... ME TOO.

[[deleted user]]

I am finally done the book! I will be posting a review for the book soonish.

Now I can read all of the spoiler-y posts and get into this discussion! :D

[[deleted user]]

Here is my review for the book:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I really enjoyed it! Gave it is a 3.5 star rating. :)

[xGvJx]

I'm done, and I really enjoyed it! I love walking around in London, so I could relate to the surroundings, and I really cared for the characters. Ciara reminded me of April Bowlby's character in Drop Dead Diva, for some reason, and Rochelle is very much alive in my head as another actress I cannot place. Guy was some version of RuPaul with more fish-like eyes, and Robin is very vivid as someone I must have seen in a red sweater or dress, but whom I cannot quite remember. I'll read the next book, but not right now, because there are so many other books on my physical borrowed books shelf.

[[deleted user]]

xGvJx wrote: "I'm done, and I really enjoyed it! I love walking around in London, so I could relate to the surroundings, and I really cared for the characters. Ciara reminded me of April Bowlby's character in Dr..."

I am so happy you enjoyed it as well. I am also going to continue the series but I also have a lot of books on my TBR (and borrowed) shelf that I need to read first :p.

[xGvJx]

I was almost hoping there would be a long waiting list at my library, so I could get a nice message in a few months telling me it was time for this book :P But it's on the shelf there, so I'll have to use another tactic. Wait until I miss Cormoran and Robin too much, I'm thinking. Because I think that's going to happen!

I actually believe this might be the first ever detective novel I've read with my own eyes, which is strange when I'm 30 and have been reading a lot my whole life. But crime fiction has been a typical audiobook choice for me for years - never my favorite genre, but it has worked better as audio than many other genres.

[Ashley Marie]

xGvJx wrote: "I'm done, and I really enjoyed it! I love walking around in London, so I could relate to the surroundings, and I really cared for the characters. Ciara reminded me of April Bowlby's character in Dr..."

Yay! I have to agree about how London came to life -- I've never been to England but I would dearly love to go, and the way Jo writes is so beautifully detailed that I could see everything sprawling behind my eyes :)

[[deleted user]]

Ashley *Hufflepuff Kitten* wrote: "xGvJx wrote: "I'm done, and I really enjoyed it! I love walking around in London, so I could relate to the surroundings, and I really cared for the characters. Ciara reminded me of April Bowlby's c..."

I found that she is amazing at creating an atmosphere and location in her novels that are detailed and easy to imagine. It was evident in this novel and also in Harry Potter :).

[Rhian]

Is this book worth buying? I don't want to look through the thread in case of spoilers but I bought the Silkworm without realising this comes before it

[[deleted user]]

Rhian wrote: "Is this book worth buying? I don't want to look through the thread in case of spoilers but I bought the Silkworm without realising this comes before it"

It is definitely worth buying at least the mass market. I got the hardcopy from the bargain section at my store for only $7 so it was soooooo worth it lol.

[Nick]

Rhian wrote: "Is this book worth buying? I don't want to look through the thread in case of spoilers but I bought the Silkworm without realising this comes before it"

Yep... buy it. You'll want to go back and check on some of the clues as things begin to come together.

[Rhian]

I'll get this one first then I was just going to read the silkworm as a stand alone but this is cheap enough on ebay so I'll get it

[Nick]

Rhian wrote: "I'll get this one first then I was just going to read the silkworm as a stand alone but this is cheap enough on ebay so I'll get it"

You really should read Cuckoo first.

[Rhian]

Yes I will do Nick I have lots of books to be getting on with so I'll check the charity shops for a couple of weeks and if I don't find it I'll order from ebay

[Kandice]

I agree that reading Cuckoo first is a good idea, but I don't think it's absolutely necessary. She does a good job filling you in enough that you will not feel lost if you don't read in order.

[Nick]

Kandice wrote: "I agree that reading Cuckoo first is a good idea, but I don't think it's absolutely necessary. She does a good job filling you in enough that you will not feel lost if you don't read in order."

Agreed... it's more about getting to know the characters (Strike and Robin) well. Their early development in Cuckoo is so great.

[Rhian]

I'll go ahead and get cuckoo I just didn't want to get into another series

[Maria]

I just finished the book. I know, a little late. But I am pleased I finished it! I honestly really did not like this book. I found it irritating to read and stuffy. The non-linear pieces, over description of places or inconsequential people, the WAY overly drawn out plot, and overall the lack of story up until the last 20 pages (roughly) was exasperating...

[Nick]

Maria wrote: "I just finished the book. I know, a little late. But I am pleased I finished it! I honestly really did not like this book. I found it irritating to read and stuffy. The non-linear pieces, over desc..."

Over-description is a good word. something that can make readers stop reading. I guess I tolerated it a little better than you did for the sake of the characters... but still, I agree with a lot of what you say. I did like the principal characters through.